Texarkana's Landmark Building temporarily evacuated because of smoke from basement fan motor

Downtown Texarkana's Landmark Building was temporarily evacuated late Monday morning because of smoke coming from the basement. A vent fan motor is the cause for the smoke. Workers were allowed to return to the building about 45 minutes after being evacuated.
Downtown Texarkana's Landmark Building was temporarily evacuated late Monday morning because of smoke coming from the basement. A vent fan motor is the cause for the smoke. Workers were allowed to return to the building about 45 minutes after being evacuated.

A vent fan motor in a basement restroom became hot and created smoke, but no fire at downtown Texarkana's Landmark Building about 11 a.m. Monday.

No fire was discovered and only smoke from the vent fan motor in the basement ceiling occurred, said Rick Pavick, Texarkana, Ark. Fire Department battalion chief.

Smoke ejectors were used to remove the smoke from the basement.

The employees from the Texarkana Gazette and the other businesses were able to return to their offices about 11:45 a.m. The Landmark Building has five floors and the basement. The building is located at the intersection of E. Broad Street and State Line Avenue.

"The smoke filled up the basement, but there was no fire," said Pavick.

The smoke detectors alerted employees to evacuate the building and use the stairs to get to the ground floor to exit the building.

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